Are you looking for the best smoker grill combo on the market today? Your search ends here - I have found not one, but five units worth considering!

The old saying goes “where there's smoke, there's fire,” so let me ask you: Why not use both to your benefit?

If you buy the best smoker grill combo, you will be able to grill and smoke your meat with a single unit. Separate units maybe perform a tat better, but they would cost you way more, require more space, and more time to set up and learn how to operate with.

The smoker grill combo brings you the best of both worlds, and it is perfect for those who cannot decide which of the two they prefer. I, for instance, love both grilled and smoked meat and that is exactly the reason why I have gone a full length to find the best smoker grill combo units currently on the market.

Next time I throw a backyard barbecue party, I'll make sure I please the crowd with both my smoking and grilling skills! You can do that too, just read what follows!

How to Choose the Best Smoker Grill Combo?

The best smoker grill combo has to be able to smoke and grill everything you want to perfection- it is as simple as that! Most often, unfortunately, these combo units are better at one of these two.

Usually, more expensive units perform well at both smoking and grilling, so you should better invest a bit more money when you are buying the unit than repent later when it is too late, and your grilled or smoked meat does not satisfy your standards.

Besides price and performance, you should also pay close attention to the materials from which the unit is made. Traditional material choices such as coated carbon steel perform well but tend to rust with time. Modern units are therefore made from stainless steel, aluminum or enamel coated and last longer with less time and effort invested in their maintenance.

The best road to take is to choose a unit with a form-fitting cover that will protect it from the elements. If you want a maximum lifespan, you should still season it in a timely manner and make sure you follow up on all the maintenance requirements.

Another feature to consider is the thicknesses of the material. The thicker the material, the longer the unit will serve you as it should. Therefore, opt for the grill body as thick as it can be (which means at least 10 or 12 gauges). It might steel rust, but the material as thick as that will not be compromised by that.

Different Types of the Smoker Grill Combo

Besides an array of different sizes and shapes you can choose from, there are four different types of smoker grill combo units depending on their power source:

1. Charcoal Smoker Grill Combo

Most people opt for a traditional approach and choose a charcoal grill unit with a side smoker box. In my humble opinion, this is the best choice as well. Why?

Well, it provides you with the best price and performance ratio. Besides, we are all already accustomed to using charcoal and flavored wood chips, so the setup is quick and easy as well.

There are more expensive units with limited automation or fully automated rigs too. Such units have an electronic control panel for adjusting dampers and vents. Besides costing more, they are harder to clean as well.

2. Propane Smoker Grill Combo

If you want to avoid getting your hands dirty with charcoal, you can opt for the cleaner propane smoker units. Yet, be aware that such units are by default better at grilling than at smoking because of the high BTU rating of propane.

On the bright side, the propane units allow you to easily control the temperature with a turn of a knob and are generally easy to operate. The smoker box is most often attached to the side as with charcoal units, and you simply need to adjust the unit to low heat and wait for your meat to be smoked to perfection.

3. Pellet Smoker Grill Combo

If you are ready to invest some serious money into your smoker grill combo unit, you can buy the hands-free operation pellet combo unit. Besides the powered auger, these units come with the digitally controlled fan as well. It will make sure that the temperature is always stable and optimal without you having to make a move. The heating element is electric, so there is no need for dirty old charcoal or the smelly propane.

There is also an advantage of being able to use flavored pellets and add some interesting flavor to your BBQ or smoked meat. The maintenance is super easy as well.

Nothing is perfect though, and pellet combo units are no exception. Their biggest fault is the lack of the high heat option since the maximum temperature they can reach is 500 degrees.

4. Hybrid Smoker Grill Combo

Last but not the least; we have units that are a hybrid of any one of the above-mentioned types. In this way, you can, for example, combine the best features and enjoy benefits of the low temperature provided by the charcoal and the flexibility of propane for the best smoky flavor you have ever tasted.

Most Recommended Smoker Grill Combo Units: Detailed Reviews 2019

The Classic Pit Barrel Cooker is not a traditional offset smoker - it is so much more! It is an excellent smoker that doubles as a grill and brings you an amazing total cooking surface of 346 square inches. It fuels on charcoal and is both easy to set up and use.

On the downside, adjusting the bottom vent is the only way to control the temperature to some extent which might represent a problem for those who want a precise and consistent temperature inside the unit.

The set includes eight hanging hooks and two heavy-duty rods to hang your meat and keep it moist inside while crisp on the outside. Of course, there is a standard chrome-plated grill grate too as well as the charcoal basket.

In short, you have everything you need for smoking and grilling, so you are safe to schedule a BBQ party! Invite all the people over as this unit has the capacity to feed quite a large group of people.

The Classic Pit Barrel Cooker made grilling and smoking meat really fun for me, and the best thing about it are the consistently good results. When you are done barbequing, simply put everything inside the barrel and store it wherever you find fitting - it weighs only 57 pounds, so you will not need any help.

Pros

Solid construction

Reasonable price

Consistent results

Easy to follow online instructions that will guarantee great tasting BBQ

No need to “season” as it features a high temp porcelain coated finish

Ready to use right out of the box

Cons

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No thermometer

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Smoke escapes around the handle welds

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Flat lid limits you in terms of what you can cook on the top grill rack

The Char-Griller E1224 Smoking Pro is a more traditionally-looking charcoal grill which features an integrated 250 square inches side firebox. If grilling is your priority, you might prefer this unit to the previously reviewed one.

This grill is truly built to last as it is made from heavy-duty steel and has a cast iron cooking grates to sear your meat perfectly. The double thick bottom also adds to the overall durability as it prevents rusting.

The design is well thought of as well, and therefore you have an underbody rack and two outside shelves to safely place all your grilling accessories and cooking ingredients. The main grill is not only big enough (580 square inches of cooking surface) but also tall enough to cook whatever you are hungry for at the moment. The hood closes tight, and the adjustable dampers allow for heat and air circulation control.

The charcoal drawers are removable so you can easily add charcoal or remove ashes when needed. The cooking temperature is relatively stable, but the built-in temperature gauge is sometimes inaccurate and could be improved. When you are done, you can simply wheel the unit away to store it safely.

If you do not mind spending a fair amount of money, you should opt for this hybrid Char-Broil model. Besides being able to use it with both charcoal and gas (propane), you will also receive a durable heavy gauge steel construction and a gigantic cooking surface of 1,060 square inches.

The unit offers three 12,000 BTU burners in the gas grilling chamber as well as the side burner and six porcelain-coated cast iron grates in the main chamber.

Unfortunately, you will have to break a sweat before you can start enjoying your barbecue as this unit requires a rather time-consuming set-up. It might not be a bad idea to have someone assist you to speed things up.

You'll be pleased to know that the temperature gauges and multiple dampers will allow you full control over temperature and air circulation, while the heat-resistant handles will make sure that you can check the progress without fearing burns. The metal storage shelf underneath the cooking chamber allows you to have everything you need at hand.

Not everything is positive though. The wheels on this unit are not functioning as well as they should, and thus this massive unit of 205 pounds is quite hard to move. Moreover, the lid is not completely airtight, and you might need to address the leaks with some sealant.

Cons

Z Grills ZPG-7002 Wood Pellet Smoker Grill Combo is the most versatile unit I have ever seen. It can not only grill and smoke, but it also bakes, sears, roasts, and braises.

The best thing about it though is that it works on a wood pallet which is quite innovative, plus there is no need for you to stand around and monitor the temperature as the automatic electric auger system will do that for you. You simply set the desired temperature somewhere between 180 and 475 degrees, make sure that the pellet hopper is full and you can enjoy the party.

This 8-in-1 machine offers the total grilling area of 700 square inches which allows you to host all your friends at once. The set-up is easy, and being coated with rust-proof materials maintenance is undemanding as well. The wheels on this unit are made to go over all terrains so you'll have no problem transporting it safely.

Safety has been a priority in other areas as well, and the automatic electronic ignition and a shutdown mode are there to prove it. The digital controls are the top of the cake of this great unit while its greatest fault is the lack of ash management solution.

Pros

Automatic electronic ignition and shutdown

Automatic pellet feed system

Digital temperature regulation

Large grilling area of 700 square inches

Built to last

Great price and quality ratio plus a three-year warranty

Cons

The PK 360 Smoker Grill Combo unit is not only the best looking unit reviewed here but also great functioning and built to last. It is made from the high quality cast aluminum which makes it 100% rust proof, durable, and light enough (only 90 lbs.) to be transported with ease.

Moreover, you can even detach the main grill body from the base and make this unit super portable for your BBQ adventures away from home (including tailgating parties).

The total cooking area amounts to 352 sq. inches, which might not be the largest surface we have seen here, but is still enough for an average person's needs. The unit fuels on charcoal. It is well sealed and features dual radial vents with adjustable air intakes for easy temperature control from 180 degrees to over 700 degrees.

The unit is also equipped with the Tel-Tru thermometer which is accurate to +/- 1%. Teak wood shelves offer weatherproof workspace (which can be removed when needed) plus there is a useful stainless steel rod to hang your cooking utensils or towels.

The innovative capsule design allows for two zone cooking which means that you can slow cook some ribs on one side and sear your favorite steak on the other. The total airflow blockage permits you to shut down the unit at the minute notice which is not only convenient but a great safety feature as well. Once you are done barbecuing you simply take out the charcoal basket that catches all the ashes.

Jack Davidson

Jack went from part-time freelance tech assistant to a food blogger and all-things-tech guy for Barb and Catherine. He loves his dog and treats her like his own child. On the other hand, working on Kitchen Byte has awaken his love for food.

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